Who Will Play James Bond Next? 17 Actors Who've Been Rumoured For The Role

Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Aaron Pierre and Regé-Jean Page have all been rumoured to be in consideration to play James Bond in recent yearsIt’s now been four years since Daniel Craig’s departure from the James Bond franchise in No Time To Die – and somehow there’s still been no confirmation on who will be succeeding him as 007.The last few months have seen some behind-the-scenes developments for the James Bond franchise, with a new creative team taking control and an Oscar-nominated filmmaker having now been chosen to direct the next instalment.And yet, an actor playing Bond is still be to selected – at least officially.Speculation about the next 007 stretches back to before Daniel Craig even hung up his gun, with new high-profile names constantly being added to the list of potential successors in the last few years.Many have noted that as James Bond moves with the times, it would be fitting for producers to cast an actor of colour in the role, which outgoing producer Barbara Broccoli had expressed interest in (though she had also ruled out giving the part to a woman).As we look ahead to the future of the James Bond franchise, here are 17 stars who’ve all been rumoured at some point to succeed Daniel Craig at the helm of the series...Idris ElbaWho is he? Let’s start with the James Bond rumour that’s being going the longest – Idris’ acting credits include the Thor films, Beasts of No Nation the Fast & Furious series and the BBC detective drama Luther.Where did the rumour come from? Idris has been rumoured to be in the running to play 007 for more than a decade (since the speculation began in 2014, there’ve been three new films in the series released), with leaked emails from Sony executives suggesting he was a favourite for the part. Following this, then-Bond boss Barbara Broccoli said Idris has been “part of the conversation” about who the role goes to next.However, in August 2022 it was reported that Idris had made the decision to take himself out of the running – and in the last few years his casting has seemed less and less likely... although we’d kind of love it if he got the opportunity to play Bond at least once, given just how long he was associated with the franchise. What has he said?“James Bond is a hugely coveted, iconic, beloved character that takes audiences on this massive escapism journey. Of course, if someone said to me, ‘Do you want to play James Bond?,’ I’d be like, ‘Yeah!’. That’s fascinating to me.”Aaron Taylor-JohnsonWho is he? Aaron has been widely considered as the frontrunner for the role of James for more than a year now. His past credits include the superhero comedy Kick-Ass, the John Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy and Christopher Nolan’s Tenet.More recently, he’s appeared in projects as varied as Marvel’s Kraven The Hunter, the arthouse horror flick Nosferatu and Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later.Where did the rumour come from? In November 2022, Aaron supposedly met with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli (who has since left the franchise), with follow-up reports claiming the meeting “went well”.More recently, in 2024, tabloid reports went as far as saying he’d been cast in the role, though this was walked back mere days later. However, the rumour mill has been in overdrive once again in recent history thanks to a series of clues pointing to Aaron playing 007.What has he said? Nothing concrete just yet – but his skittishness when it comes to whether or not he’s playing James Bond has to count for something, right?Aaron PierreWho is he? Another more recent additions to the list of rumoured potential 007s is another Aaron, this time fellow Brit Aaron Pierre.As well as voicing the title character in Disney’s Mufasa, Aaron appeared in The Underground Railroad, played Malcolm X in the anthology series Genius and starred opposite Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal in the sci-fi dystopian drama Foe.Where did the rumour come from? The news appears to come from movie “insider” Daniel Richtman, who claimed in June 2025 that Aaron is “being considered” for the part.What has he said? Nothing just yet, but we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled in case he has anything to add on the rumours.Tom HardyWho is he? He’s literally Tom Hardy! You may have seen him in films including Max Max: Fury Road, Dunkirk, Legend, The Dark Knight Rises, Inception or Venom.Where did the rumour come from? Like Idris Elba, speculation about Tom Hardy playing 007 goes way back.Things hotted up in 2020, though, when the film blog The Vulcan Reporter claimed he’d done several auditions for the part and was “basically locked into the role”.What has he said?“You know, there’s a saying amongst us in the fraternity of acting, and in the fellowship of my peer group, that if you talk about it you’re automatically out of the race. So I can’t possibly comment on that one! If I mention it, it’s gone.”Tom HiddlestonWho is he? Probably best known for his role as Loki in the Marvel universe, Tom also won a Golden Globe for his performance in the drama The Night Manager.Where did the rumour come from? Around the time The Night Manager was airing, many viewers pointed out that the British actor might be a good James Bond, and was soon spotted having a meeting with the franchise’s chief Barbara Broccoli.Unfortunately, this was also around the time of those infamous “I Heart TS” paparazzi shots, with rumours suggesting the ensuing media coverage (and his widely-panned Golden Globes speech) may have cost him the role of the man with the golden gun.What has he said?“What can I say that you don’t already know? It’s interesting in itself that I’ve suddenly become very aware of what I’m saying, is it not?“Because there’s something about what I’m saying that becomes the story. Not for you, but the world outside. Whatever I say, I’ve found, generated more questions.”Richard MaddenWho is he? After rising to fame in Game Of Thrones, the Scottish actor later won a Golden Globe for his leading role in Bodyguard.Where did the rumour come from? The action-packed Bodyguard led to Richard being tipped to succeed Daniel Craig as Bond, with the Daily Mail reporting at the time that the drama had caught the eye of former 007 boss Barbara Broccoli.Bodyguard’s producers even teased that a potential second series of the drama would depend on “what happens with James Bond”.What has he said?“I’m more than flattered to be mentioned, for people to consider putting me in that role. I’m very flattered and thankful. It’s a really brilliant thing to be in.“I don’t want to curse anything by saying anything. I think that’s the curse of that. If you talk about it, you’ll curse it.”James NortonWho is he? James is perhaps best known for his TV roles, which have included Happy Valley, Grantchester, McMafia and The Trial Of Christine Keeler, though you may have also seen him in action in the recent big-screen adaptation of Little Women.Where did the rumour come from? While many of the actors named as potential replacements for Daniel Craig are based on anonymous “insiders” and source quotes, the rumours about James seem to stem primarily from bookies’ odds.However, he did spark something of a frenzy in his 2025 drama Playing Nice, when his character was the only person not wearing a tuxedo at a black-tie event, which some felt may have been due to a Bond contractual agreement.What has he said? “It’s so weird and bemusing. But yet again, it’s based on pure speculation and it makes for a good little clickbait moment in the media. Other than that, it’s just fun and bemusing.”Jack LowdenWho is he? Jack Lowden has had a massive few years, scoring Bafta, Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for his work in Slow Horses and appearing with Nicole Kidman in the breezy Netflix mystery The Perfect Couple. Where did the rumour come from? This is another story that’s based on bookies’ odds, with Jack’s name soaring towards the top of the list when Amazon acquired creative control of the spy franchise.What’s he said?Nothing yet – although his wife Saoirse Ronan seems keen on him taking over as 007.Henry GoldingWho is he? The British star of films like Crazy, Rich Asians, A Simple Favour and the Guy Ritchie action film The Gentlemen.Where did the rumour come from? After Daniel Craig’s exit from the James Bond franchise was confirmed, fans began campaigning for Henry to take over the iconic spy role. What has he said?“[The speculation] definitely [came] from Crazy Rich Asians, maybe the white suit coming out of the park. [And] because I’m Asian and everybody’s fighting for a diverse Bond – sorry, white guys.“I don’t know. It’s an honour to even be in the conversation. It’s one of the greatest film roles ever, you’d be stupid to be like, ‘I don’t want to do that.’“Isn’t it great that people are like, ’OK, now’s the time, why the hell can’t we have a black Bond, an Asian Bond, a mixed-race Bond, a non-distinct Bond?”George MackayWho is he? After appearing in Sunshine On Leith and Pride, George landed his biggest role to date when he took the lead in the Bafta-winning 1917, and he’s since appeared in Femme and The End.Where did the rumour come from? According to a 2021 report in Page Six, Bond producers were hoping to reboot the franchise after No Time To Die, making the Bond character, which is where the idea to have George play a rather different 007 was reportedly born.What has he said? “You’ve got to consider it for sure. I mean, it’s an amazing thing, but it would also be a massive thing. I don’t know if that’s a reality, but if it ever became one, of course, it would be a consideration. But be a careful one.”Regé-Jean PageWho is he? Regé-Jean became an overnight sensation earlier this year thanks to his role as the main love interest in the Netflix period drama Bridgerton.Where did the rumour come from? Fans immediately began suggesting Regé-Jean as a potential Bond, and when he announced he wasn’t returning for the second season of Bridgerton, the rumour mill hotted up even further.What has he said?“Ah, the B word. I think if you are British and do anything of note, that other people take notice of, then people will start talking about that.“That’s fairly normal and I’m flattered to be in the category of Brits that people have noticed.”Charlie HunnamWho is he? Charlie’s biggest acting credits include Green Street, Queer As Folk, Sons Of Anarchy and Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen.He was also famously cast in the role of Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades Of Grey franchise, but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts, and was replaced by Jamie Dornan.Where did the rumour come from? Charlie’s name being linked with playing James Bond largely stems from his devoted fanbase, as well as bookies’ odds.What has he said?“I would be so flattered and honoured to be considered to play James Bond as an Englishman. But my intuition tells me that I shouldn’t be waiting for that phone call to come. I think there are many people ahead of me on that list.“It’s very flattering sort of fan dialogue. Nobody’s ever, on a professional level from within the industry, brought that up to me. “As much as people want to talk about me playing James Bond – please continue. Maybe that’s the genesis of these things. Maybe fan chatter leads to industry people actually talking about it in a more serious way.”Sam HeughanWho is he? Sam is best known for playing one of the lead roles in the historical drama Outlander.Where did the rumour come from? Sam has actually been on Bond producers’ radars for a while, having previously auditioned to succeed Pierce Brosnan in Casino Royale, which would eventually become Daniel Craig’s first outing in the role.What has he said?“I don’t know if there is a conversation being had apart from in the media, but I think it’s an incredible franchise and a great character, so of course I would jump at it.”Henry CavillWho is he? Henry is famous for playing Superman in the superhero’s most recent big-screen offerings, and also has the lead role in the Netflix adaptation of The Witcher.Where did the rumour come from? After taking on an action role in The Man From U.N.C.L.E., many viewers suggested he’d be a fitting replacement for Daniel Craig, with rumours last month suggesting his name had been raised among producers as a hot favourite.Like Sam Heughan, Henry also auditioned for Casino Royale, back when he was just 21 years old.What has he said?“I would absolutely jump at the opportunity. At this stage, it’s all up in the air. We’ll see what happens. But yes, I would love to play Bond, it would be very, very exciting.”Harry StylesWho is he? The chart-topping singer made a name for himself as a member of One Direction, before making a name for himself as a Grammy-winning solo artist. He also has two films coming out in the near future, having previously made his acting debut in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk.Where did the rumour come from? This might sound like the work of over-excited Directioners, but in 2021, The Sun reported that Bond producers were hoping to take the character in a “new age” direction, and tipped Harry for the role.What has he said?Harry’s reps said the rumours were “not even remotely true”. Too bad, tbh.Phil DunsterWho is he? Ted Lasso fans will recognise Phil from his Emmy-nominated performance as Jamie Tartt.Where did the rumour come from? Interestingly, unlike most of the names on this list, this rumour comes straight from the horse’s mouth, with Phil confirming that a “conversation” was had about him playing Bond – albeit very a short one.What’s he said? “There was a conversation one of my agents had but they quite firmly shut the door in their face.”Lucien LaviscountWho is he? Another more recent addition to the list of rumoured James Bond stars, Lucien Laviscount’s past credits include Coronation Street, Waterloo Road, Ryan Murphy’s Scream Queens and Emily In Paris.Where did the rumour come from?The Daily Mail first reported in December 2022 that Lucien had caught the eye of James Bond producers, with an unnamed source claiming he “ticks all of the boxes” as a “super talented” and “extremely handsome” young actor.However, it appears there’s one drawback.According to the Mail, Lucien’s reality TV past (after leaving Waterloo Road, he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, and was involved in a brief showmance with a certain Ms Katona) has put off some execs behind the scenes.What has he said? Again, he’s yet to address the rumours directly, so make of that what you will.MORE JAMES BOND:Aaron Taylor-Johnson Fuels Bond Rumours With This Awkward 28 Years Later Red Carpet MomentDanny Boyle Has This 1 Regret About Stepping Away From No Time To DieHelen Mirren Admits She 'Never Liked' James Bond: 'It Was Born Out Of Profound Sexism'

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